Odysseus Spacecraft Will Attempt First U.S. Moon Landing In Decades Today: Here’s How To Watch
ForbesFEB 2024
Private Spacecraft Makes First US Moon Landing Since 1972
Image copyright: NASA Handout/Getty Images News via Getty Images (2019)
The Spin
Narrative A
The US is in a new space race against other countries, including China and India, but this one isn't about science — it's a gold rush to make up for plundering Earth's resources. The Moon can provide valuable supplies of ice water and other resources. Rather than solving problems on Earth, the world's great powers have shifted their competition into space, which will cause instability at home on our pale blue dot.
Narrative B
This mission isn't a chapter in some space race — it's a sign of how two of the world's great powers can cooperate. Chinese scientists will be able to use the technical equipment on board to carry out various astronomical observations, while US experts previously were able to use an ultraviolet telescope on China's Chang'e 3 lunar lander. Contrary to apocalyptic predictions, the Moon will not be the next site of a worldwide conflict.